I *much* prefer flavor to heat. I tend to feel that excessive heat in a chili recipe is there to distract from (or overcompensate for) lack of real flavor. Subtle spiciness is much better than the typical (and easy) "five-alarm fire".

My whole family prefers taste,We don't like having to spend 10mins trying to cool our mouths off then trying to eat it.We also don't like the heat over powering the flavor.A little spice is nice but don't kill the tastebuds.

MMMM! that sounds good! I much prefer flavor over heat. I hate spending several minutes acting like I am a fire-breathing dragon after one bite of chili.

Emi - I am about 7 hours from central Indiana, but that's too far to drive in one weekend! DRAT! I am also participating in a chili cook-off for pharmacy school next month and usually make the chili for my husband's chili cook-off at work. Those are so much fun!

MMM! Chili sounds so yummy right now!
I personally, am a spice weenie. For those of you unfamiliar with the term "spice weenie" it refers to a person who cannot stand anything hotter than one of those little hot tamale candies.
Dont get me wrong, I'll eat a moderately spicy chili, but for me it's all about the substance. a nice balance of beans and meat with a fun flavor and a hint of spiciness.
~Sirius "The Spice Weenie"

Flavor it is. My secret? I grill hamburgers (charcoal grill, of course) and then break them up into the chili. Grilling, also, for the hot peppers. Additionally, I sautee the veggies with bacon. You can never have too much bacon. Unless you're a vegan.

Thanks for the input! You guys always come through.

Emily

Justin

Wed, 12th Oct '05 9:58 PM

Emily - I highly recommend that you query Tuzilla further on this topic

Definately flavor over heat. We make a batch of homemade chili every weekend. We have done some rather odd ones (Chocolate Jalapeno for example) but my favorite receipe is my 3,4,5. 3 meats- ground beef, chorizo, and pork sausage
4 beans- chili, kidney, pinto, and black
5 pepper- red, yellow, and green bell peppers, green chilies, and jalapenos.
An onion, diced tomatoes, and just the right combination of spices and you have yourself a winner! Good luck with the cook off!

FLAVOR definitely! A little heat is nice, but you don't want to spend the next five minutes looking for bread and water to neutralize the heat.

My mom just asked me if she could make some chii for a little gathering tonight, and I said NO because I am pregnant and am afraid the smell might set me off, but now that we're talking about it here... Ohhh, I have obviously made a large mistake. I'll be craving chili for a week now!

Tuzilla, the tips you have given me already will suffice. They were more than helpful! That, in addition to my inimitable creative flair should make me a crowd favorite. Thanks again, Tuzilla, and to all of you for your suggestions.